Boeheim’s Gift: Record-setting SU basketball coach works his magic

Dennis Nett/The Post-Standard SYRACUSE BASKETBALL COACH Jim Boeheim con´fers with Kris Joseph in the second half of Mon´day night’s game against Pitt at the Carrier Dome.

When Pittburgh’s basketball coach called a timeout Monday night with seconds left and his team trailing by eight points, the ESPN announcer borrowed a line from politics and “projected” Syracuse the winner. The 24,826 fans in the Carrier Dome stayed put, however, until the unbeaten SU Orange had won their record-breaking 20th straight game, giving Hall of Fame coach Jim Boeheim his 876th Division I win. ESPN didn’t join the celebration, switching to Kansas taking on so-far-undefeated Baylor. (Baylor lost.)
Syracuse never trailed, though the Panthers narrowed the gap to four points with 8:37 remaining. Scrappy play and deadly three-pointers kept Pitt in contention before a rapt audience in the Dome and on national TV.
SU’s five talented starters and a bench considered by many the deepest in the land got the job done. The Orange have been ranked No. 1 for six weeks, matched only by the 1989-90 SU team.
Monday’s win was a milestone for the wily and resourceful SU coach. This is Boeheim’s 34th season with at least 20 wins, a new NCAA record. He ties Adolph Rupp in fourth place on the list of all-time winningest coaches. The University of Kentucky coach from 1930 to 1972 (think Rupp Arena in Lexington) has been described as “a man of consummate pride and a molder of powerful teams.” No word of plans to change the name of the Dome to Boeheim Arena — not yet, at least — even though SU’s coach tied Rupp’s wins six years earlier in his career than the UK legend.
As for the growing Boeheim legend, Pitt coach Jamie Dixon added this tribute Monday: “He’s earned everybody in the business’s respect. It’s amazing what he’s done. He’s done so much for the community.”
How long before Boeheim reaches the next pinnacle scaled by Dean Smith (879 wins), Bobby Knight (902) and Mike Krzyzewski (915 and counting)? Monday night, Boeheim dismissed his Rupp-tying feat with characteristic aplomb. “No significance,” he said. “The only thing I care about is this year.”
Plenty of fans share that focus — including one whose sign predicted an undefeated SU season. A healthy SU team coming off seven Big East wins in 20 days faces Notre Dame Saturday. Senior Scoop Jardine already has his eye on April 2 in New Orleans. “I’m doing whatever it takes to win a national championship,” he said Monday.
Win or lose, the SU Orange always entertain. Season after season, Boeheim works his magic on the hill, molding freshmen into mature players, managing the intricate dynamics of a smooth-functioning team. This season, amid allegations of a sex scandal involving former assistant coach Bernie Fine, the ability of Boeheim and his players to maintain their poise and drive is truly remarkable.
Winter after winter, Boeheim and his players counter the gray, cold Central New York days with an antidote of light and warmth and excitement. In 2003 they brought home a national title. In 2012 — who knows? It’s easy to take SU basketball for granted, but each year it’s a gift — as Dixon said, a gift to the community.